Robert Villarreal, Author at Baseball Essential

Cubs Prospects Still Rising After Chapman Trade

Jul 29, 2016

Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Prospect Reports

Aroldis Chapman made his Chicago Cubs debut on Wednesday, pitching the ninth inning of an 8-1 victory over crosstown rivals the Chicago White Sox. The howitzer-armed lefty made quick work of the three batter he...

Cubs Running Away With NL Central

Robert Villarreal

Jun 20, 2016

Chicago Cubs, Major League Baseball, National League, National League Central

To say they're on a tear is most assuredly an understatement. The Chicago Cubs are simply decimating opponents and leaving little to nothing in their wake. The Cubs, now 46-20 in the midst of their 2016 campaig...

Hey Cubs and Yankees, Andrew Miller Is Worth It

Robert Villarreal

Jun 10, 2016

Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees

When you look at a ball club like the Chicago Cubs, at first glance it can be difficult to find the weak link. They are a young, hard-hitting squad with a knack for timely base running and pitching. But the tru...

Chicago Cubs: Two Months In and Still Rolling

Robert Villarreal

Jun 1, 2016

Chicago Cubs

Today is the first day of June and the Chicago Cubs are still going strong. Strong? Strong is an understatement in a world where this Wrigleyville ball club, one that had taken the barrage of "losing" jokes for...

Smolinski on Pace to Make Athletics’ Opening Day Roster

Robert Villarreal

Mar 11, 2016

American League, Oakland Athletics, Opinions & Predictions, Spring Training

Spring training can be a lot of things to many different people. Some veterans use it as a time to shake off the winter cob webs and get back into "baseball shape." Other players report early to stay in peak ph...

Clayton Richard Could be Dependable Option in Cubs’ Bullpen

Robert Villarreal

Mar 9, 2016

Chicago Cubs, Headlines, Major League Baseball, Spring Training

In the midst of loading and reloading one of baseball's most storied franchises, the Chicago Cubs' brass meticulously went about signing what may be their overall weapon out of the bullpen. He was signed by the...

Hendricks Making a Spot for Himself in Cubs Rotation

Robert Villarreal

Mar 9, 2016

Chicago Cubs, Major League Baseball, Spring Training

If you looked at the Chicago Cubs' current roster and I told you that a 26-year-old with only one year of service time was going to make the starting rotation against a squad with such massive starting options,...

Milwaukee Brewers Top 20 Prospects

Robert Villarreal

Jan 14, 2016

Features, Major League Baseball, Milwaukee Brewers, Minor League Baseball, National League, National League Central, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions, Prospect Reports

Source: Cliff Welch/ MiLB.com You wouldn't know it form the Milwaukee Brewers' 2015 regular season record of 68-94, but the future really does look bright. Yes, I too was a doubter. In fact, I wrote a piece...

Report: White Sox Now a Frontrunner for Cespedes

Robert Villarreal

Dec 29, 2015

American League, American League Central, American League East, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Headlines, Major League Baseball, Rumors

In what has always felt like a long shot, MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reported this morning that, along with the Baltimore Orioles, the Chicago White Sox are now frontrunners for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Yoen...

Brewers Having Active, Yet Lackluster December

Robert Villarreal

Dec 29, 2015

Headlines, Major League Baseball, Milwaukee Brewers, National League, National League Central, Transactions

The Milwaukee Brewers had an abysmal 2015 finishing 68-94, 32 games out of first place in a division that saw three of its teams reach the playoffs. Only three teams had a worse season than the Brew Crew, the C...

Author Robert Villarreal